Ratchet-brake mechanism.



R H. BLACKALL.

RATCHET BRAKE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED N0\!. :0. 1914.

Patented Apr. 20, 19115,

2 SHEET8-8HEET 1.

lNVEN-TOR Robw'i' H mm B. H. BLACKALL RATCHET BRAKE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION men NOV. 10, 1914.

Patentedfipr. 20, 1915.

m1 EW UQUW 2 SHIBIFTS-BHBET 2.

INYENTOR Robefl H Blacmll ROBERT E. BLACLII, 01E PITTSJBUH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 TCHET BRAKE COMPANY, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPOTION OF DELAWARE.

RATCHlET-EEAKE MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, T9153.

Original application filed April 22, 1913, Serial No. 762,943. Divided and this application filed November 10,1914. teriallto. $71,236.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT H. BLACKALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Pittsburgh, county of Allegheny,State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet-Brake Mechanism, (division of my application Serial No. 762,943, filed April 22, 1913, issued December 8,1914, as Patent No. 1,120,123;) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled ent of the handle for effecting release of the handle from the staff whether the handle is in raised or lowered position. Tn the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, this release is efi'ected automatically by swinging the handle backward about the staff, and the dropping of the handle is without edect on the clutch members. The construction shown has the further advantage that it permits a graduated or step-by-step release of the brakes.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the pivotal support for the handle is carried by a sleeve loosely rotatable upon the brake stad, which sleeve carries a face ratchet for engagement with a relatively fixed face ratchet on the stafl, and the automatic unclutching of the handle is efi'ected by causing an inclined bearing face on the ratchet sleeve to engage during reverse rotation of the sleeve with a correspondingly inclined stationary abutment, whereby the relatively movable ratchet member is lifted from engagement with the fixed ratchet member.

Another feature of this particular form of unclutching device resides in the provision of stops which by engagement at the end of the unclutching movement serve to prevent further turning movement of the side elevation illustrating the handle of my invention applied to a vertically disposed brake vstaff with the handle in dropped position and the clutch members in engagement; Fig. 2 is a like view but with the handle extended and the clutch members disengaged by'the action of the lifting cams; lFi g. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 41s a fragmentary view illustrating the automatic unclutching mechanism.

In the construction shown the brake stad 1 is connected in usual way to the brake rigging of the car, and may be disposed vertically as on passenger coaches and the like. The stafi' is journaled in suitable bearings secured to the car and is provided with the holding ratchet and pawl ordinarily employed in conjunction with brake applying mechanism. The upper bearing 2 for the brake stad is suitably shaped for attachment to part of a car, as'by having lateral extensions 3 for the receptlon of fastening bolts, and also serves as a housing for parts of the clutch mechanism.

The rotation of the brake stad for the purpose of applying the brakes by hand is accomplished through the medium of clutch mechanism herein disclosed in the form of a face ratchet 4 fast to the stad', and a relatively movable face ratchet 5 adapted to convert oscillatory movements of the handle 6, which is carried by the movable clutch member 5, into a step-by step rotating movement of the staff. The fixed ratchet member t is fastened upon the stad as by means of a transverse pin 7, and the movable handle-carrying ratchet member is loosely confined upon the stad so that it may have free rotary movement as well as a-mov'ement longitudinal of the stad into and out of engagement with the fixed ratchet member. A transverse pin 8 through the staff at its top prevents complete removal of the upper clutch member. The weight of the movable clutch member will ordinarily insure a positive engagement when thehandle is usedon a vertical stafi'. Provision is made for the collapsing or folding of the operatin handle in respect to the staff by pivota y connecting the handle with the loose ratchet member or sleeve. The sleeve is for this purpose in the form of the invention herein disclosed provided with a pair of spaced radially disposed pivot lugs 9 which receive between them the inner end of the handle and carry the .stud 10 on which the handle is pivotally engaged.

The means for effecting the uncoupling of the handle from the staff automatically in the present disclosure, takes the form of a pair of diametrically opposite lugs or projections 11 integral with the relatively moving sleeve and provided with inclined hear-' ing faces 12, which upon an extreme reverse rotation of the sleeve, ride up the inclined bearing faces 13 on the relatively fixed abutments 14. These relatively fixed abutments ll may he. as shown. conveniently formed integral with the bearing bracket 2. To limit the reverse movement of the sleeve the cooperatin inclined bearing faces of the lugs and a utments may be provided with extensions 15 and 16 at the upper ends of the inclines, and adapted to engage, as shown in Fig. 4, after the unclutching movement has been effected, to prevent any further rotative movement.

The operation of setting the brakes will be clear from the foregoing description. Upon a forward rotative" movement of the handle, the movable clutch sleeve makes positive engagement with the fixed clutch member, and during reverse movement of the handle, the clutch members separate and permit a retractive movement of the movable clutch member. The brake staff may be held during this retractive movement of the handle by means of the usual holding pawl and ratchet not shown. In the case of a vertically disposed brake staff, this pawl may be mounted on the floor or latform of the car in position, where the bra eman may control itwith his foot in the usual way. The handle is automatically unclutched from the staff simply by continuing the rearward or retractive movement far enough to engage the inclincd separating members which actfirst to lift the movable clutch member, and, when this disengagement is effected,

serve to prevent any further rotative movement in that direction.

A subordinate feature of improvement embodied in the ratchet brake mechanism herein disclosed. of importanoe'in that it vision of the duplicate lugs 11 and abut ments 14 diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation so that the lift which effects disengagement of the clutch members is symmetrically applied with re- 10 spect to that axis.

The clutch mechanism is protected, as shown in Fig. 1, by providing the bearing 2 with an integral upstanding annular rim 17, which incloses the fixed clutch member, and by providing a movable sleeve with a dependent annular flange 18, which comes down over and incloses the upstanding rim. The clutch sleeve is also preferably closed at the top by a cap 19 which incloses the end of the brake stud and may be secured in place on the clutch sleeve by a pin 20 driven in through the side of the cap and engaging in alining recesses in the cap and the sleeve. This cap affords a convenient hand-hold whereby the upper clutch sleeve may be lifted by the operator out of engagement with the relatively fixed ratchet when effectinga graduated or step-by-step release of the brakes.

h The graduated release is effected by lifting the upper clutch sleeve, and with the operating handle 6 extended, swinging the sleeve forward and then dropping it to get a new grip on the other ratchet. Then the foot pawl on the car platform can be kicked outand the operator can ease off on the brakes by allowing the handle to swing around toward the position at which automatic unclutching is effected, but before there is automatic unclutching, the foot )awl can be again thrown in and the clutch sleeve again lifted and swung forward for another grip on the ratchet, and these operations maybe repeated as often as is neces- 1 silly to effect the desired progressive release of the brakes and without the need for completely releasing the brakes and then partially tightening them up again, as is customary with many types of ratchet brake mechanism having an automatic release.

From the foregoing, it is evident that I obtain all of the advantages of the-drop handle type and of graduated or step-by-step release when the invention is used in conncction with a vertical brake staff, and that by reason of the fact that the automaticunclutching is effected by means wholly independent of the folding action of the handle, this brake mechanism may be used in places where there would not be room for the foldin action of the handle.

claim:

1. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, a face ratchet secured to said brake staff, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate about said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the brake statf is to be rotated to set tilt.

taacpao the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said. brake stall forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down close to and substantially parallel with said brake stafi' While said ratchets remain in operative engagement, means for separating the ratchets when the brakes are to be released forming an upward extension of said second face ratchet and in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of engagement while the operating handle is extended, so that graduated release of the brake staff may be effected.

2. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff,-a

ratchet clutch member secured to said brake staff, a second clutch member positioned to rotate about said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said firstnamed clutch member when the brake staff is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, a handle operatively connected for turning said clutch members to rotate said brake stad forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with saidibrake stafl' and close thereto, while said clutch members remain in engagement and means at the upper end of said stafi and forming an upward extension of said second clutch member, said means being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second clutch memher out of engagement while the o crating handle is extended so that graduate release of the brake stafl may be efl'ected.

3. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, a face ratchet secured to said brake stafi, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate about said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the brake staff is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially arallel with said brake stafi, and a removab e cap inclosing the end of the brake stad and secured to an extension of the second ratchet, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of en gagement while the operating handle is extended so that raduated release of the brake staff may be e ected.

4. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, a face ratchet secured to said brake stafi, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate abo ut said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the brake staff is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate'said brake stad forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake staid and Without separating said ratchets, means for automaticall separating the face ratchets on substantia ly complete backward movement of the operating handle, and a removable cap inclosing the end of the brake stafi and pinned to an extension of the second ratchet, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of engagement while the 'operatin handle is extended so that graduated reiaase of the brake staff may be effected.

Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake stafl", a stationary bearing member for the stafi adapted for attachment to part of a car, a face ratchet secured to said brake stad, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate on said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the brake staff is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake staff and without separating said ratchets, means for automaticall separating the face ratchets on substantiafly complete backward movement of the operating han dle, and a removable cap inclosing the end of the brake staff and pinned to an extension of the second ratchet and turning therewith, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of engagement while the operating handie is extended so that graduated release of the brake staff may be efl'ected.

6,. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake stafi', a stationary bearing member for the staff adapted for attachment to part of a car, and lugs integral with said bearing member, said lugs being diametrically disposed with respect to the brake staff and having their front edges inclined to serve as lifting surfaces, a face ratchet pinned to said brake 'stad, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate about said staff, and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said firstnamed ratchet when the brake stad is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, housing means for said ratchets, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake staff and without separating said ratchets. lugs integral with said second ratchet and having inclined faces adapted to engage with the inclined faces of the lugs on tit) the bearing member and serving to separate the ratchets on substantially complete backward movement of the operating handle, a stop limiting the extent of said'backward movement, and a cap inclosing the end of the brake staff and pinned to an extension of the said second ratchet, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of engagement while the operating handle is extended so that raduated release of the-brake staff may be e ected;

7. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, :1 Stationary bearing member for the staff adapted for attachment to part of a car, a lifting lug integral with said bearing member, a face ratchet secured to said brake staff, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate about said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the'brake staff'is to be rotatedto set the brakes, but slidingthereover on reverse rotation, housing means'for said ratehets, a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake stafi'and close thereto andjlithout separatingsaid ratehets, a lug integral with said second ratchet and adapted to engage with the lug on the bearing member and serving to se arate the ratchets on substantially comp ete backward movement of the operating handle, and a cap inelosing the end of the rake staff and secured to an extension of the said second ratchet, said cap being in position to be rasped by the operator for lifting the secomf ratchet out of engagement while the operating handle isextended, so that graduated release of the brake staff may be effected.

8. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, a stationary bearing member for the staff adapted for attachment to part of a car, said bearing member having an upstanding flange forming a housing, and lugs integral with said bearing member, said lugs being diametrically disposed with respect to the brake staff and having their front edges inclined to serve as lifting surfaces, a face ratchet pinned to said brake staff and inclosed by said housing, a second face ratchet ositioned to rotate onsaid staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said first-named ratchet when the brake staff isto'be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation. hous ing means for said second ratchet. a handle operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly. said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake staff and without separating said ratchets, lugs integral with said second ratchet and having inclined faces adapted to engagewith the inclined faces of the lugs on the bearing member and serving to separate the ratchets on substantially complete backward movement of the operating handle, and :1 ca inclos'ing the end of the brake staff an secured to an extension of the said second ratchet and turning therewith, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for liftin the second ratchet out of engagement whi e the operating handle is extended, so that graduated release of the brake staff may be effected.

9. Hand-actuated brake mechanism comprising in combination a brake staff, a station ary bearing member for the staff adapted for attachment 'to part of a car, said bearing member having an upstanding integral flange forming a housing, and ln s integral with said bearing member, said ugs being diametrically disposed with respect to the brake staff and havin their front edges inclined to serve as lifting surfaces, a face ratchet ined to said brake staff and resting on said caring member and inclosed by said housing, a second face ratchet positioned to rotate on said staff and gravity actuated to make positive engagement with said firstnamed ratchet when the brake stafi" is to be rotated to set the brakes, but sliding thereover on reverse rotation, housing means for said second ratchet telescoping outside of the housin flange for said first-named ratchet, a han e operatively connected for turning said ratchets to rotate said brake staff forwardly, said handle being capable of folding down substantially parallel with said brake staff, lugs integral with said second ratchet and having inclined faces adapted to engage with the inclined faces of the lugs on the bearing member and serving to separate the ratchets on substantially complete backward movement of the operating handle, a stop limiting the extent of said backward movement, and a cap inclosing the end of the brake staff and secured to an extension of the said second ratchet and turning there with, said cap being in position to be grasped by the operator for lifting the second ratchet out of engagement while the operating handle is extended, so that graduated release of the brake staff may be effected.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT ll. BLACKALL.

lVitnesses E. 'l. Em-znr, NATALIE Macnnxzla.

IOU

llt is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,136,01W, granted April 20, W13,

upon the application of Robert II. lilaekzill, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. for an improvement in Ratchet-Brake ltllechanism, errors appear in the printed speciliczv tion requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line J after. the word releasert' insert the words and means, page t, line- 90, for the word pined" read pinm'rl;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record. of the ease in the Patent Ollie-e.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D., 1915.

[with] R. F. WHI'IEHEAD,

Acting flommz'ssioner of Patents. 

